Application Specification

MicroQSFP Stacked Connector 114-32161

& Cage Assembly 08 JUN 16 Rev A

NOTE
All numerical values are in metric units [with U.S. customary units in brackets]. Dimensions are in millimeters. Unless
otherwise specified, dimensions have a tolerance of ±0.13 and angles have a tolerance of ±2°. Figures and illustrations are
for identification only and are not drawn to scale.

1. INTRODUCTION
This specification covers the requirements for application of the Stacked MicroQSFP Connector and Cage
Assemblies utilized to interconnect MicroQSFP fiber optic or copper transceiver modules to host printed circuit
boards. The MicroQSFP Connector and Cage assembly is a pre-assembled unit available in a 2X1 thru 2X4
configurations. Product styles include iterations that contain bezel EMI springs or gaskets. In addition, light pipe
kits for each configuration are available.
Both the connector and cage assembly feature compliant pin contacts for mechanical retention to the pc board
and to provide EMI suppression, thermal vent holes, and panel ground springs. In addition, the cage assembly
ports contain latch plate slots used to retain the transceiver modules during operation. A dust cover for each
port may be used when a module is not mated to the cage assembly to prevent contaminants from entering the
chassis. The connector and cage assembly is designed to be inserted thru a bezel after being seated on the pc
board.
The connector consists of a housing with dual 38-position receptacle ports and compliant pin contacts on a
.6mm centerline spacing. The housings contain alignment posts that provide stability for placement on the pc
board. Each receptacle port has a card entry slot that accepts a 1.0 +/-.1 mm thick integrated circuit card
housed in the mating transceiver module.
When corresponding with TE Connectivity Personnel, use the terminology provided in this specification to
facilitate your inquiries for information. Basic terms and features of this product are provided in Figure 1.

2X1 Configuration Connector and 2X4 Configuration

Cage Assembly

EMI Springs

Optional Light
Optional EMI Pipe Assembly
Gasket

Figure 1 (cont’d)

© 2016 TE Connectivity family of companies PRODUCT INFORMATION 1-800-522-6752 This controlled document is subject to change.
All Rights Reserved For latest revision and Regional Customer Service,
1 of 13
*Trademark visit our website at www.te.com.
TE Connectivity, TE connectivity (logo), and TE (logo) are trademarks. Other logos, product, and/or company names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
 114-32161

Connector
Housing Compliant Pin
Contacts Latch Plate
Retention
Slots

Port

Card Entry
Slots

Light Pipe Kit

Alignment Posts Assembly
Compliant Pin (2 Plc) Panel Ground
Contacts
Spring
Dust Cover

Figure 1 (end)

2. REFERENCE MATERIAL

2.1. Revision Summary

Initial release of application specification

2.2. Customer Assistance

Reference Product Base Part Numbers 2296273 (2X1), 2291332 (2X2), 2293143 (2X3), 2296070 (2X4), and
Product Code X408 are representative of the MicroQSFP Stacked Connector and Cage Assemblies. Use of
these numbers will identify the product line and help you to obtain product and tooling information when visiting
www.te.com or calling the number at the bottom of page 1.

2.3. Drawings
Customer drawings for product part numbers are available from www.te.com. Information contained in the
customer drawing takes priority.

2.4. Specifications
Product Specification 108-32126 provides product performance and test results.

2.5. Instructional Material

Instruction sheets (408-series) provide product assembly instructions or tooling setup and operation
procedures. Instructional material that pertains to this product are:
408-32247 MicroQSFP Stacked Connector and Cage Assembly Seating Tool Kits
408-32252 MicroQSFP Stacked Connector and Cage Assembly Extraction Tools

Rev A 2 of 13
 114-32161

3. REQUIREMENTS

3.1. Safety
Do not stack product shipping containers so high that the containers buckle or deform.

3.2. Storage
A. Ultraviolet Light
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light may deteriorate the chemical composition used in the product
material.

B. Shelf Life
The product should remain in the shipping containers until ready for use to prevent deformation to
components. The product should be used on a first in, first out basis to avoid storage contamination that
could adversely affect performance.

C. Chemical Exposure
Do not store product near any chemical listed below as they may cause stress corrosion cracking in the
material.
Alkalies Ammonia Citrates Phosphates Citrates Sulfur Compounds
Amines Carbonates Nitrites Sulfur Nitrites Tartrates

3.3. Limitations
The connectors are designed to operate in a temperature range of -55 to 85°C [-67 to 185°F].
The bezel requirements given in this document are specifically configured for products used in the
communications industry, and peripheral component interconnect (PCI) applications.

3.4. Material
The connector housing and chicklets (parts that hold the compliant pins) are made of molded thermoplastic, UL
94-V-O rated. All compliant pin contacts in the connector are made of a copper based alloy under-plated with
Nickel, plated with tin at the compliant pin area and gold at the interface. The cage components are made from
a stainless steel alloy and the light pipe kits are made from molded polycarbonate material.

3.5. PC Board
A. Material and Thickness
The pc board material shall be glassed epoxy (FR-4 or G10). The minimum pc board thickness shall be
1.45mm for single sided applications and 2.2mm for dual sided. These minimum thickness values
include the board thicknesses tolerance.

B. Tolerance
Maximum allowable bow of the pc board shall be 0.08 mm over the length of the connector and cage
assembly.

C. Hole Dimensions
The holes for the connector signal contacts and cage assembly must be drilled and plated through to
dimensions specified in Figure 2.

Rev A 3 of 13
 114-32161

Recommended Hole Dimensions for Connector

0.54 Ref Pad Diameter

0.37 ±0.02 Drilled

Hole Diameter

0.025-0.050
Copper Plating (Max Hardness 150 Knoop)
0.27 ±0.05 Finished Hole
Diameter After Plating
0.004-0.010 Hot Air Solder Leveling (HASL) Tin-lead (SnPb)
0.0005 (Min) Immersion Tin (Sn)
0.0002-0.0005 Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP)
0.004-0.0076 Nickel (Ni), 0.0001-0.0005 Immersion Gold (Au)
0.0001-0.0005 Immersion Silver (Ag)
Recommended Hole Dimensions for Cage Assembly

Drilled Hole Diameter

1.15 ±0.02 (For 1.05 Dia Holes)
0.66 ±0.02 (For 0.56 Dia Holes)

0.025-0.050
Copper Plating (Max Hardness 150 Knoop)
Finished Hole Diameter After Plating
1.05 ±0.05 (For 1.05 Dia Holes)
0.56 ±0.05 (For 0.56 Dia Holes) 0.004-0.010 Hot Air Solder Leveling (HASL) Tin-lead (SnPb)
0.0005 (Min) Immersion Tin (Sn)
0.0002-0.0005 Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP)
0.004-0.0076 Nickel (Ni), 0.0001-0.0005 Immersion Gold (Au)
0.0001-0.0005 Immersion Silver (Ag)

Figure 2

D. Layout
The holes for the connector and cage assembly must be precisely located to ensure proper placement
and optimum performance of the connector and cage assembly. Recommended hole pattern, dimensions,
and tolerances are provided on the customer prints. Sample layouts are provided in Figure 3.

Rev A 4 of 13
 114-32161

Recommended PC Board Layout

(2x1 Cage and Connector Assembly Configuration)
3X 3.5 2.4 Max

3 Max

4 Light Pipe Configuration

Rev A 5 of 13
 114-32161

(Connector)
Detail A Detail B

0.79

1.135 1.925

0.79
1.1
0.705

0.9
1.8 1.8

PIN NUMBER FUNCTION

U1/L1 COUPLED GROUND
U2/L2 SIGNAL
U3/L3 SIGNAL
U4/L4 COUPLED GROUND
U5/L5 SIGNAL
U6/L6 SIGNAL
U7/L7 COUPLED GROUND
U8/L8 AUXILIARY
U9/L9 AUXILIARY
U10/L10 AUXILIARY
U11/L11 AUXILIARY
U12/L12 AUXILIARY
U13/L13 COUPLED GROUND
U14/L14 SIGNAL
U15/L15 SIGNAL
U16/L16 COUPLED GROUND
U17/L17 SIGNAL
U18/L18 SIGNAL
U19/L19 COUPLED GROUND
U20/L20 COUPLED GROUND
U21/L21 SIGNAL
U22/L22 SIGNAL
U23/L23 COUPLED GROUND
U24/L24 SIGNAL
U25/L25 SIGNAL
U26/L26 COUPLED GROUND
U27/L27 AUXILIARY
U28/L28 AUXILIARY
U29/L29 AUXILIARY
U30/L30 AUXILIARY
U31/L31 AUXILIARY
U32/L32 COUPLED GROUND
U33/L33 SIGNAL
U34/L34 SIGNAL
U35/L35 COUPLED GROUND
U36/L36 SIGNAL
Detail C U37/L37 SIGNAL
U38/L38 COUPLED GROUND

Figure 3 (cont’d)

Rev A 6 of 13
 114-32161

(Connector and Cage Assembly 2X4 Configuration)

Figure 3 (end)

Rev A 7 of 13
 114-32161

3.6. Transceiver Modules

The mating transceiver module packing size must conform to the mechanical requirements specified in the
MicroQSFP MSA specification TBD to insure there are no module interference issues when transceivers are
installed in adjacent ports.

3.7. Bezel
A. Thickness
The bezel thickness range shall be 0.8 through 2.6 mm.

B. Cutout
The bezel must provide a cutout that allows proper mounting of the connector and cage assembly. The
cage assembly panel ground springs or gasket must be compressed by the bezel in order to provide an
electrical ground between the connector and cage assembly and bezel for EMI suppression. Care must
be used to avoid interference between adjacent connector and cage assemblies and other components.
The minimum allowable distance between connector and cage assemblies must be considered to ensure
proper assembly. Dimensions for bezel cutout and minimum allowable distance between cutouts are
shown in Figure 4.

Recommended Bezel Cutout and Minimum Pitch

(5.25)
A
(3.5) ±0.10

(Ø 2.5)
(28.61)

24.7 ±0.1
(TYP)

R 0.3 Max

B Min
CONNECTOR AND CAGE DIMENSION “A” DIMENSION “B”
ASSEMBLY CONFIGURATION
2X1 15.45 20.0
2X2 29.7 34.25
2X3 43.95 48.5
2X4 58.2 62.75
Figure 4

3.8. PC Board and Bezel Position

The bezel and pc board must be positioned in relation to each other to avoid interference with the insertion and
extraction of the transceiver. The relationship must conform to the dimensions given in Figure 5.

Rev A 8 of 13
 114-32161

Recommended Bezel and PC Board Position

(EMI Spring Configuration)

1.7 ±0.9 52 ±0.3 CL of Connector

Guide Post

48

0.25 ±0.1
Bottom of Cutout
in Bezel to Top of
PC Board

(EMI Gasket Configuration)

CL of Connector
1.7 ±0.9 52 ±0.3
Guide Post

48

0.25 ±0.1
Bottom of Cutout
in Bezel to Top of
PC Board

Figure 5

Rev A 9 of 13
 114-32161

3.9. Placement
The following requirements also apply to connectors and cage assemblies used for rework purposes.
Connectors should only be handled by the housing to avoid deformation, contamination, or damage to the
compliant pin contacts.

A. Registration
The compliant pin contacts and mounting posts must be aligned with the matching holes in the pc board,
then inserted into the pc board simultaneously to prevent twisting or bending of the compliant pin
contacts.

B. Seating
Using proper seating force and seating height is essential to interconnection performance. The force used
to seat the connector and cage assembly must be applied evenly to prevent deformation or other damage
to the compliant pin contacts. The force required to seat the connector and cage assembly onto the pc
board can be calculated by:
Amount of Compliant Pin Contacts X 44.5N (10 lbs) Force per Compliant Pin =
Over-driving the connector and cage assembly will deform parts critical to the quality of the connection.
Maximum force occurs prior to the connector and cage assembly bottoming on the pc board.
The shut height of the application tool must be specifically set for proper seating of the connector and
cage assembly. The shut height can be calculated by:
Seating Height (Connector and Cage Seated) + Height of Seating Tool + Combined Thickness of PC
Board and PC Board Support Fixture = Shut Height (Ram Down)
The seating height, measured from the top of the cage assembly (not including the panel ground springs)
to the top of the PC board is shown in Figure 6.

0.10 Max Gap

23.95 Ref
Seating
Height

Figure 6

3.10. Checking the Assembly

After assembly, the cage assembly ground springs or EMI gaskets must be compressed by the bezel. A slight
bow in the cage assembly is permitted. The bezel and PC board must be positioned according to the
dimensions shown in Figure 5.

3.11. Dust Cover

A dust cover must be installed into the port when a transceiver module is not mated with the cage assembly.

Rev A 10 of 13
 114-32161

3.12. Light Pipe Kits

A light pipe kit may be installed on the MicroQSFP Stacked Connector and Cage Assemblies. The Bezel must
have additional cutouts as shown in Figure 4 for the light pipe kits. The number of bezel holes required is
dependent on the number of light pipe openings desired. The appropriate location of the LED’s on the host PC
board is provided in Figure 3.
When a light pipe kit is installed, the rear organizer must be latched into the mounting slots on the rear of the
cage assembly. The light pipe bracket must also be latched onto the latch tabs on the main cage body. See
Figure 7.

7A 7B
Snap Light Pipe
Bracket onto
Cage Body

Snap the
Organizer Latches
into the Cage Slots

Figure 7

3.13. Repair and Rework

Damaged or defective connector and cage assemblies must be removed and replaced.
If repair or rework to the pc board requires soldering after the connector and cage assembly has been seated
onto the pc board, the following must apply:
After soldering, removal of fluxes, residues, and activators is necessary. Consult with the supplier of the solder
and flux for recommended cleaning solvents. Cleaners must be free of dissolved flux and other contaminants.
Even when using “no clean” solder paste, it is imperative that the contact interface be kept clean of flux and
residue.
Air drying is recommended. Otherwise, make sure that temperature limitations are not exceeded (-55 to 85°C).
Excessive temperatures may cause housing degradation.

4. QUALIFICATION
No qualifying support for MicroQSFP Stacked Connectors and Cage Assemblies was defined at the time of
publication of this document.

5. TOOLING
Tooling Part Numbers and instructional material packaged with the tooling are given in Figure 8.

5.1. Seating Tool Kits

TE designed seating tool kits (each consisting of a seating tool and wall support) must be used to accurately
insert the connector and cage assembly onto the PC board. The seating tool and wall support are also
available separately.

Rev A 11 of 13
 114-32161

5.2. Extraction Tool

The extraction tool is used to remove the connector and cage assembly from the pc board. The connector and
cage assembly cannot be reused.

5.3. Application Tool

Power for the seating tools and extraction tools must be provided by an application tool (with a ram) capable of
supplying a downward force of 44.5N (10 lbs) per contact. For available application tools, call Product
Information at the number on the bottom of page 1.

5.4. PC Board Support Fixture

A PC board support must be used with the seating tool and extraction tool. The support fixture provides proper
support for the PC board and protects the board and the connector and cage assembly from damage. The
support fixture must be customer designed. It is recommended that the support fixture be at least 25.4 mm
longer and wider than the PC board. And have flat surfaces with holes or a channel large enough and deep
enough to receive any protruding components of the connector and cage assembly.
CONNECTOR AND CONNECTOR AND
SEATING TOOL KIT
CAGE CONFIGURATION CAGE EXTRACTION TOOL
2X1 2185206-1 2185208-1
2X2 2185206-2 2185208-2
2X3 2185206-3 2185208-3
2X4 2185206-4 2185208-4
Figure 8

Typical Seating Tool Kit Typical Extraction Tool Kit

(Refer to Table) (Refer to Table)

Clearance windows in cage

allows for tooling to apply
direct force to connector body

Rev A 12 of 13
 114-32161

6. VISUAL AID
The illustration below shows a typical application of this product. This illustration should be used by production
personnel to ensure a correctly applied product. Applications which do not appear correct should be inspected
using the information in the preceding pages of this specification and in the instructional material shipped with
the product or tooling.

SLIGHT BOW IN CAGE CONNECTOR AND CAGE MUST

ASSEMBLY PERMITTED NOT BE DAMAGED IN ANY WAY

CONNECTOR MUST NOT

BE CRACKED OR BROKEN

ALL COMPLIANT PINS AND ALIGNMENT OPENING OF CAGE ASSEMBLY

POSTS MUST BE FULLY INSERTED SHOULD BE CENTERED IN
INTO MATCHING PC BOARD HOLES BEZEL CUTOUT

CAGE ASSEMBLY PANEL GROUND

SPRINGS OR EMI GASKET MUST BE
COMPRESSED BY BEZEL

FIGURE 9. VISUAL AID

Rev A 13 of 13